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Swansea 0-0 Liverpool – Rodgers Return Ends in Bore Draw

Heading into Sundays game against Swansea, Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool were unbeaten in seven league games but still dwindle in the second half of the league table. The inability of the current squad to take chances remains a constant and Suarez aside, goals have been few and far between from other areas of the team. This theme would continue on Sunday even though Liverpool amassed twenty-one shots at goal with fourteen on target.

The most notable event of the first half involved Jose Enrique, the converted left back turned left winger stabbed home from close range but was wrongly adjudged to have been offside. Raheem Sterling also went close with a well executed volley that smacked the cross-bar and was duly cleared by Swansea.

Rodgers employed Joe Allen as the holding midfielder with Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard on front with five across the middle with Raheem Sterling found out wide right and Suarez largely isolated up front. Gerrard and Henderson lay very deep for long parts of the game restricting their ability to contribute to the attack. The willingness of the manager to go all out for the three points wasn’t so forthcoming and only when Joe Cole and Jonjo Shelvey were introduced on seventy-seven minutes did he signal an outright attempt to attack the home team. This substitution came following a dour second half with only a counter attack involving Suarez and Sterling of note. The young Englishman exchanged passes with Suarez but his return pass forced the Uruguayan too wide as they had a two versus one following a Swansea corner at the other end.

Liverpool are now unbeaten in eight league games and have sixteen point from thirteen games with a goal difference of plus one. They currently lay nine points off of fourth place and five behind Everton in fifth. The way Liverpool play has developed into a possession heavy style of play but using Stewart Downing and Jose Enrique in swapped positions surely isn’t a first choice option. Sterling is a magnificent talent but not a top level goalscorer to partner Suarez. Steven Gerrard continues to float through games without having any impact on their outcome. Perhaps we are used to too much from the skipper and his normally lofty contributions. January’s transfer window will surely be used by Fenway Sports Group to strengthen the squad, if not then there will be major questions about their commitment to be competitive.

About Jonathan Carroll

I’m a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Born and bred in Ireland I played Gaelic football and soccer while growing up and attended the prestigious Colaiste Ide in Dublin to prepare for a soccer scholarship to the USA. I played soccer at Thomas University in Georgia and was made team captain in my junior and senior years. I was honored to become an All-American in those same years. I graduated in 2007 and coached high school and collegiate level soccer programs incorporating year round strength and conditioning techniques with great success. I moved to Boston in 2011 and went on to work at Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning. I am currently the head strength and conditioning coach for the Boston Wolfe Tones Gaelic football team.
Qualifications:
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA)
USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach
FMS Certified
United States Soccer Federation “D” License
Football Association of Ireland Certified